methamphetamine

How to Tell When Your Loved One Should Go To Rehab for Meth  

It’s no surprise with people being stuck at home and feeling more isolated than ever that they are turning to drugs for some type of consolation. It may come as a drastic shock that the use of methamphetamine is on the rise in America. As recently as March of 2020, methamphetamine use is at the highest it’s been in years.

Methamphetamine is an extremely addictive substance that causes an intense high, and often users are addicted to only one or two experiences. However, family members quickly become concerned as well because the withdrawal symptoms and the signs of methamphetamine abuse quickly become evident. Call our Carolina rehabilitation experts if you know someone who is struggling with an opioid addiction.

Understanding the Effects of Meth

The largest regions hit by methamphetamine abuse are the Midwest and western states. The drug has become more available and easier to access than ever before. What is more concerning is that the surge in methamphetamine use comes hand in hand with the ongoing opioid epidemic. Opioid users will often use meth to increase their high and reduce sleepiness or drowsiness.

Mixing drugs is never safe, and it’s critical that people experimenting with drugs this way get immediate help before their health is permanently damaged. Methamphetamine abuse often comes with psychological and physiological effects.

The effects during a high of methamphetamine include arise and body temperature, which can be deadly, anxiousness, confusion, paranoia, and psychosis. Through the ongoing use of methamphetamine, a person who was otherwise mild-mannered can become violent and aggressive with unexpected mood swings.

Signs of Meth Withdrawal

Even after one use, people will begin to experience withdrawal symptoms of methamphetamine. The initial withdrawal symptoms will include anxiety, fatigue, depression, cravings for methamphetamine, an increased appetite, and psychosis. After the first use of methamphetamine, it’s likely that the person using will have rather mild versions of these withdrawals, and with each use after the withdrawals will become more intense.

Someone who’s been using methamphetamine consistently for an extended period of time will experience withdrawals for weeks. Even after getting clean, a person who had used meth for an extended time can experience psychosis for 2 1/2 weeks after getting clean, meth cravings for five weeks after getting clean, and anxiety for much longer than that.

More obvious signs of withdrawal can include scabs on the face, deteriorating dental hygiene, borrowing money, and constant paranoia. If you notice these symptoms, you should speak with the person’s closest relatives about addressing these concerns with the local rehabilitation facility. Getting more information about addiction and about meth use can help everyone involved in this person’s life gain a better understanding of their condition.

How to Intervene in a Meth Addiction

Staging an intervention is not for the faint of heart. Successful interventions called for the loved ones in the person’s life to be brutally honest and upfront about their expectations of the relationship going forward. Additionally, talking about the existence of the addiction may be a challenge not only for the person suffering from addiction but for the rest of the family.

You might consider bringing in an intervention specialist who can not only stage the intervention but bridge the communication between the people involved. It is vital to acknowledge that confronting a person suffering from addiction alone can make matters extremely worse. It can force that person to become obstinate and refuse to accept any help even in the future during a formal intervention.

When you have an intervention specialist or the assistance of a local rehabilitation program, it’s likely that they will work with you to rehearse the intervention and plan for worst-case scenarios. People experienced in the recovery community understand that families and concerned people often are ill-equipped to handle the drastic mood swings and unpredictable behavior.

Get Support, Insight, and Help from a Local Rehab Center

If someone you know abuses crystal meth or other forms of methamphetamine, then you might feel as though it’s necessary to step in. It might be, but don’t step in and intervene without having all the information available. Connect with us at rehab Carolinas to learn about meth addiction, intervention, and treatment options. When you approach your loved 1, they may not realize that you see their drug use as a problem, and if someone isn’t ready to rehabilitate, then the treatment may not be effective.

When working with Rehab Carolinas will help you understand exactly what people who take meth experience and how their brain has changed its processes. Our system focuses on education, therapy, and helping people rebuild meaningful relationships. That could start with you, and meeting with us could help you understand more about the person you love.